Osseous Surgery

In preparation for the procedure, the affected area will receive a local anesthetic in order to numb it.   Next, the dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue around the area that needs to be cleaned and treated.  The tooth and underlying bone is revealed by gently lifting the gum away.  The area surrounding the tooth is then cleaned of any plaque and tartar build up.  Once the cleaning is done, the dentist will clean the surface of the bone.  Any bacteria that are trapped around the tooth will slowly eat away at the bone and make it uneven.  If the area is to heal properly, the bone must have these rough, uneven surfaces smoothed.  After the cleaning and smoothing, the dentist will trim the gum tissue to fit to the new underlying structure.  He will then stitch the gum tissue snugly back in place.